jose sulaiman

A new president of the World Boxing Council is expected to be named by April 16 in the wake of the Jose Sulaiman’s passing on Jan. 16, according to WBC Secretary General Mauricio Sulaimant, he son of the long-time sanctioning organization head.

Promoters Don King and Bob Arum praised fellow hall of famer Jose Suliamon, the longtime president of the WBC who passed away on Thursday. “He devoted his life to boxing,” Arum said. “I’m deeply grieved,” added King. “He was one of my greatest friends in life.”

Mauricio Sulaiman on his father, WBC president Jose Sulaiman, who remains hospitalized nearly three weeks after having undergone heart surgery: “Some complications delayed his progress but he’s moving along very good. He’s very strong, and he’s fighting.”

Promoter Don King, who turns 81 on Aug. 20, invited Pygmies to the “Rumble In The Jungle,” claims to be able to communicate with Floyd Mayweather in “ghetto-ese,” and once killed a man — just a few stories from the life of the man who coined the phrase “Only in America.”

RING middleweight champion Sergio Martinez has signed a deal meant to guarantee him a shot in September against the winner of a June title clash between WBC beltholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andy Lee.